AT&T reportedly looks to smaller rivals to help salvage T-Mobile acquisition

AT&T (NYSE:T) is reportedly talking to smaller rivals such as MetroPCS (NYSE:PCS) and Leap Wireless (NASDAQ:LEAP) to sell spectrum and customers as a way to salvage its $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA now that the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit to stop the acquisition.  

Bloomberg, citing two people familiar with the situation, said AT&T has also approached CenturyLink, Dish Network and Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S), which is staunchly opposed to the acquisition and filed an antitrust lawsuit against the T-Mobile deal.  

AT&T has said it will fight the Justice Department's lawsuit and has requested an expedited hearing for the case. AT&T and the Justice Department are scheduled to meet in court on Sept. 21.

For more:
- see this Bloomberg article

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